It was the phone. Runt watched it suspiciously for a time, but let the answer machine get it.
"Hey," came the voice after the tone. I recognised it instantly as my coworker, Mark. "You never answered my text. I tried calling on your cell
but you won't answer. And since you're not answering here either, I'm a bit worried. Give me a call to let me know you're okay. And, uh, I guess
if I don't hear from you by tonight, I guess I'll have to drop round. Okay?"
That was odd. I knew Mark was friendly but I didn't know him all that well. I didn't expect him to be so worried about not seeing me.
Runt smiled at me. "Friend of yours?"
I gave no indication of a reaction.
"I think he'd like to be more than a friend, eh?"
What? Mark? Was Runt suggest Mark had a crush on me? No way. What would he know about Mark anyway?
"Oh, you doubt it?" he sniggered, "Let's see when he comes over tonight..."
My blood froze. The last thing I wanted was Mark to get involved in this nightmare. But since I couldn't call him, there was nothing to stop him
from coming.
The day passed slowly. Runt fed me a collection of fruit. Though I initially refused it, trying to rebel against him, it wasn't long before my
hunger forced me to eat. For the other many hours, Runt was adding rooms to his palace. As the day dragged on, it was becoming more and
more like a labyrinth.
By the front door, he built a large pool of water to bathe in, deep enough to come up to his waist. It was lounging in this that he waited for
Mark to arrive. I wanted to retreat to one of the further rooms, but I couldn't not know what he was about to do, so I waited nearby.
The doorbell rang. "It's open!" Runt called.
Mark walked in. He was tall but a little chubby. He had thicky curly hair and a matching beard. He wore glasses and a large coat. As he entered,
and caught sight of the room, he flinched. Then he saw Runt, naked and wet, and he yelped.
"Close the door behind you." Runt told him.
He did as he was told, though I was mentally yelling at him not to.
"I'm looking for my friend," Mark said.
"I can be your friend," Runt smiled.
"Uh..."
"I can see you're into it."
Runt nodded at Mark's crotch where, like me before, was a large bulge.
"Hey!" Mark yelped, "What are you doing to me?"
Then mark noticed the horns and the tail. "What are you?"
"I'm an Imp. You're friend is over there."
He looked at me.
"That's a horse."
"That's right."
"I think," Mark said, "I should go. Sorry I bothered you."
He seemed to think he was high or drunk. He fumbled for the door handle.
"No," Runt said, "You can't leave now you've seen me."
Mark's lip trembled. "I won't tell nobody," he said quietly.
"Undress," Runt told him.
Mark simply did as he was instructed. He let his coat drop to the floor, pulled off his shirt and stepped out of his jeans. He stood meekly before
us both, and covered his crotch with his hands. His large body was covered in a generous layer of hair.
"Now," Runt smiled, "What should I do with you?"